Randstad Canada News Room

TORONTO, March 12, 2012 – As Statistics Canada’s recent Labour Market Survey results indicate Canada’s job market is still struggling for growth, Randstad Canada, the country’s leader for staffing, recruitment and HR Services, reports a steady increase in IT jobs in specific areas and roles over the last few months.

Statistics Canada’s latest job numbers report said a drop in Canadians looking for work led to Canada's unemployment rate slightly declining by 0.2 per cent in February to 7.4 per cent, as the economy shed 2,800 jobs during the month.

Jan Hein Bax, President of Randstad Canada, says the company has seen a steady increase in Contract demand over the last few months. “There was a slight 2 per cent increase from January to February of this year, but a moderate 31 per cent increase was seen in January, compared to December 2011’s numbers,” he says.

Regarding specific industries, Stats Can data reports that February's biggest losers were in the wholesale trade and retail sectors, which lost about 37,000 workers. Transportation and warehousing; and health care and social assistance followed; both categories lost approximately 22,000 jobs.

According to Bax, while the economic numbers may appear grim, the opportunities are there. “As we’ve seen in the past during difficult economic times, businesses rely more heavily on contract or temporary hiring to adjust to market uncertainties, which still provide some good opportunities for job seekers within certain industries and specializations. ”

The Labour Force Survey results highlight some areas where employment rose. Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing added 41,000 new jobs, while educational services, business, building and other support services, natural resources, construction and manufacturing all saw modest gains as well.

Based on Randstad Canada’s internal figures, the company has experienced increases in the Financial Services Industy (up 52%), Government and Non-Profit Industries (both up 19%) and the Telecommunications Industry (up 16%), from January to February.

In terms of the most in-demand job roles, the company has seen an increase in Architects by 21% from Januray to Februray and also a jump in Support roles by 19% over the same period.

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About Randstad Canada: Randstad Canada is the Canadian leader for staffing, recruitment and HR Services. As the only fully integrated staffing company in the country, we understand the recruitment needs and demands of employers and job seekers across all levels and industries. Through our insightful knowledge of local markets, employment trends and global network of recruitment experts, we are shaping the Canadian world of work. Visit randstad.ca.